Fluid transmission



-Jan. 22, 1946. '.l. JANbAsVEK' u 2,393,470'

FLUID TRANsMIssIc-m l Filed Aug. 28, 1943 fyrrawfk ,vide auxiliary ui -tions to induce o Patented Jan. 22., 1946 UNITED Isin-'ras PATENT osi-*lcs FLUID `TRANSMISSION Joseph Jandasek, Highland Park, Mich., assignorto Bendix Aviation "Corporation, South Bend,

Ind., a corporation of Delaware Application August 28, 1943, Serial No. 500,309

' (C1. en -54) E Claims.

This invention relates to transmissions ,and more particularly to fluid transmissions adapted to automatically operate as torque converters or as -iluid ,clutches dependingv on the load to which the device is subjected.

An object of the invention` is to provide a uid transmission having auxiliary iluid energizing, energy absorbing and reaction members' capable of augmenting th'e power transmitting characteristicsof main duid energizing, energy absorbing and reaction members.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a uid transmission having auxiliary iiuid dei-lecting blade wheels adapted to be moved to different operating positions by variations of uid reaction to which they are subjected in the operation of the transmissions.

*Yet another object `of the invention is to proenergizing and energy absorbing blade wh ls havingv spaced'bladed secmaximumeiilciency when 'the device is operating 1 as a torque converter or as a uid clutch.

A further object is to provide a uid transmission having a plurality of spaced reaction members each having a plurality of uid deflecting bladed channels adapted to he selectively introduced into a power transmitting :duid circuit to increasethe eiciency of the transmission of power at varyingvspeed and load conditions. Yet another object resides in the provision of` will be apparent from the following detailed des criptionl considered in connection withvthe accompanying drawing, submitted for purposes of yillustration only and not intended to dene the scope of the invention, reference being had for that purpose to the subjoined claims.

ration of the transmission at v a duid transmission having movable impeller In the drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view'of avuid transmission illustrating one desirable j embodiment of th'e invention, and

Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating a modied 'form of the invention.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited ln its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the inventionis capable of other embodiments and of'being practiced or carried out in various ways.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. l it will be noted that a driving shaft I0 has thereon a ange l2 supporting an impeller housing It having a ange supporting a sleeve I8 surrounding a stationary member 20 sleeved on a driven shaft 22, preferably aligned with the driving shaft It. The driven shaft 22 has thereon a hub 24 supporting spaced webs 28 and 2B having iluid deiiecting vanes 30 and 32 interposed between the webs 26 and 28 and a shroud member @d to provide a turbine energy absorbing uid channel 35. The impeller housing It is provided with spaced impeller blades 36 and 38 interposed between spaced sections of the housing member i6 and van impeller shroud 40 to provide an impeller'iluld energizing channel 42. 'I'he turbine uid channel 35 and the impeller fluid channel t2 cooperate to provide a power transmitting fluid circuit through which ylluidmay be energized by the impeller and transmitted to the turbine to transfer powerfrom the driving shaft I0 to the driven shaft 22.

at peak eiiiciency when operating as a torque converter or as a duid clutch.

Yet a still further object of the invention re- .sides in the provision of apertured blade wheel carrying'members whereby uid may flow there-f through to Vexert substantially equal pressure on opposite sides of such members to insure proper. cooperation with the uid reaction exerted on the blades to vcontrol the shifting of the blade wheel members. D

4 The stationary member 20 supporting the driven shaft 22 is provided with a threaded pore tion 44 for the reception of a guide wheel hub 86 having a radially extendedl ange da provided with spaced vaned chamois El! and 52 adapted to` be alternately introducecinto vthe powerv transmitting iiuid circuit to operate the transmission as a torque converter or as a fluid clutch depending on variations of fluid reaction to which' the vanes inthe channel portions 50 and 62 are'subiected.

Other objects and advantages of thisinvention 55 l The nuiddenectingwanes in the channel Ipor'- tion 58 are of heavy contour andembody considerable curvature to deflect the power transmitting fluid'to a considerable` degree while the device is operating as' a torque converter to insure the smooth iiow of fluid between the turbine and the impeller when the device is transmitting large quantities of power at increased torque.

The channel 52 is provided with ilud deilecting vanes of lighter section embodying less curvature to transmitthe 'iiuid from the turbine to the impeller in such a manner as to prevent iluid turbulences when the device is operating as a iluid clutch. to transmit-power with substantially no torque multiplication. A spring 54 interposed between a stop 58 carried by the hub 48 and the iiange 48 isprovided to yieldingly urge the guide asesino.

The channel 88 has therein smaller uid de- ."iiecting vanes of less curvature to absorb'a lesser wheel member axially oi the uid circuit to inl.troduc'e the vanesin channel 52 into the iiuid circuit in opposition to iiuid reaction exerted therein.

A spring 58 interposed between the ilange 48 and a stop member 88 -abutting a shoulder 82A on the stationary member 28 serves to yieldingly urge the flange 48 axially to introduce the vanes in the channel 58 into the iluid circuit in opposition' tothe spring 54. The springs 54 and 88 may be calibrated 'vith reference to the fluid reaction exerted in the fluid circuit to insure the introduction of the vanes in'the channels 58 or 52 into the iiuid circuitwhen the power transmitting characteristics are such that operation as atorque deilecting vanes of large section embodyingcondegree of power from the iiuid when the device is operating as a fluid clutch.

Opposed springs 88 and 92 interposed between a stop 94 carried bythe axially extended portion 18 of the hub 24 and the flange 84, and between the hub 82 and turbine hub 24 respectively serve to yieldingly urge the channels 88 and 88 axially, to interpose the desired channel into the uid circuit when the device is operating as a torque converter or as a iiuid clutch respectively.

The turbine webs 2s and 2a are provided with orifices 88 and 88- to permit iiuid to pass theremission to a position adjacent' the housing I2v during the operation of the transmission as a :fluid clutch. The guide `wheel ilange ,48 has spaced orifices |82, and' the auxiliaryimpeller flange 88 has spacer oriilces I 84 so as to insure o substantially equalizations of iluid pressures ou opposite sides of the flanges 48' and 88 respectively and also to insure the desired operating characteristics of the guide wheel and auxiliary impeller members.

The operation of' this embodiment of the invention is as follows: Power applied to the driving shaft .I8 rotates the impeller housing I4 whereupon the impeller vanes 88 and 88 energize the power transmitting iluid and move it in the vdirection of the arrow I88. It will lbe noted that a substantially axial ,flow type impelleris embodied, however any type impeller such forexample as the radial flow type may be employed.

siderable curvature. The circulating iluid strikes these vanes on their lfaces andV they direct the fluid in the desired direction to induce it to enter the impeller channel 42 withL minimum turbulence. These vanes in some instances absorb energy from the circulating fluid thereby energizing the impeller when the device is operating as a torque converter.

The enenne1 12 is provided with fluid deflectthe channel 18 into the-fluid circuit in opposition.

to iiuid reaction in the circuit acting on' thel vanes. L The turbine hub 24 has an extended'sectin 18 having threads 88 `for the reception of an auxliliary turbine hub 82 having a ilange 84 supporting spaced duid deilecting channels and 88 adapted to be introduced into the power transmitting iluid circuit when the device is operating as Va torque converter or as a fluid.A clutch. 'I'he channel 88 hastherein auxiliary turblneyanes of relatively large contour embodying consider- *able* curvature to absorb a considerable propor' tion oi energy from the power transmitting iluid when the device is operating as a torque converter.

channel 88 the uid is directed through the main o \When the device is operating as a torque converter with the auxiliary impeller and .turbine members and the guide wheel member in the position illustrated, iluid discharged from the impeller channel 42 ilows into the auxiliary turbine channel 88 whereupon a portion of the power is absorbed and transmitted through the auxiliary turbine hub 82 and threaded extension 18 to the turbine hub 24 /ilxed to the driven shaft 22. e

After flowing' through the auxiliary turbine turbine channel 85 whereupon energy is imparted to the 'turbine vanes 88 and 82 and transmitted therefrom 4to the driven shaft 22. After leaving the main turbine channel 85 the power transmitting iluid passes through the guide wheel channel 58 whereupon it is deviated so as to enter the auxiliary impeller channel I8 in such a manner as to minimize turbulenceand permit the transmission of power with torque multiplication.

Under certain operating conditions the iluid entering the 'auxiliary' impeller -channel 18 impinges on the faces of the impeller vanes whereupon power is absorbed therein and the fluid is redirected to venter the main impeller channel 42 '-in Fig. 2 a driving cally to introduce the channeled impeller turbine .and-guide wheel channels 12. 88 and 52 respectivelyV into the power transmitting fluid circuit.

It will be noted that the apertures 98 and 88 in the turbine web members 28 and 28 respectively permit the iiow of a predetermined quantity of iluid therethrough, and the apertures and |02 in the auxiliary turbine carrying member 84 and in the guide wheel carrying member Vla (respectively permit the new of duid through the members` whereupon substantially equal fluid pressures are exerted on opposite sides of said members. The apertures |04 in the auxiliary impeller carrying member 68 also permits predetermined quantities of fluid to pass therethrough to subject thev radially extended auxiliary impeller carrying member 88 to substantially equal pressures on opposite sides thereof It will be apparentvthat if desired the apertures may .be varied in size to permit the ow of a controlled vneled portions 12 and 88 and the guidewheel channeled portion 52 positioned in the power transmitting iiuid circuit, power is transmitted '|20 sleeved on a driven shaft |22 axially aligned withthe drivingshaft ||0.

-The impellery housing is provided with suitable :duid energizing vanes |241 and |26 attached to an impeller shroud |28 and cooperating therewith to form anjimpeller channel |30 to direct power transmitting fluid in the direction of the arrow |32 as the impeller housing sections ||4 and ||8 are rotated. f

A turbine hub |34 is rixedto the driven shaft |22 and is'provided with spaced energy absorbing vanes |38 attached to a turbine shroud |38 and cooperating therewith to form a turbine channel |40. The impeller channel |30 and the turbine channel |40 cooperate to form a power transmitting fluid circuit whereby energy may be imparted to and absorbed from a fluid to transmit power from the driving shaft I0 to the driven shaft |22.

The stationary member |20 is provided with threads |42 adapted to receive main and auxiliary guide Wheel members |44 and |48 respectively. The guide wheel member |44 is providfrom the driving shaft |0 to the driven shaft 22 with virtually no torque multiplication.v The vane members in these channeled portions are of relatively small contour and having little curvature operate to direct the iiuidI to the next channeled portion in such a manner that duid turbulence is minimized, and the transmission of power as4 a iiuid clutch will be maintained at highv eiii- The position ofthe auxiliary impeller and turbine members relative tothe power transmitting iluid circuitis influenced by three forces: (l) the uld reaction exerted on the vanes in the chanyneled portion positioned in the power vtransmitting fluid circuit; (2) the side thrust on the radially extended auxiliary impeller and turbine carrying members 88 and 84 respectively: (3) the forces exerted by the springs positioned to engage the radially extended auxiliary impellerl and turdriving shaft' l0 is decreased, the auxiliary Aimpeller turbine and guide wheel members are automatically subjected to forces to shift them to introduce the channeled portions 10, 88 and 50 respectively having the vanes of the appropriate contour for operation as .a torque converterl to permit the'transmission of power with torque multiplication.

Ii desired a stop member carried bythe main turbine web 28 may be employed to engage the auxiliary turbine hub 82 or the carrying member 04' to V limit inward movement of the auxiliary turbine carrying member l84 when the device is operating as a torque converter with the channeled portion 88 positioned in the power transing sections it@ and itt, thehousingfsection ||8 has a danse it@ embracing ,a'stationary member` ed with spaced channeled portionsi 48 and |80,

and the auxiliary vguide wheel member |48 is provided with spaced channeled portions |52 and |54 respectively. The channeled portions |48 and |52 of the main and auxiliary guide wheel v members are provided with iiuid deflecting blades of relatively large cross section embodying considerable curvature to'vary tire direction of fluid ilow from the turbine to the impeller members and to permit the transmission of power with tor/que multiplication.

Thechanneled portions and |84 of the main and 'auxiliary guide wheel members |44 and |48 respectively are provided with vanes of less` cross sectional area embodying less curvature to direct the power transmitting fluid from the turbine to the impeller with less guidance whereupon power may be transmitted from the driving shaft to the driven shaft with substantially no torque multiplication when the device is operating as a iiuid clutch. v

The turbine hub |34 is provided with a threaded extension |58 adapted to receive a plurality of auxiliary turbine members |88 and |80.

The 'auxiliary turbine members |58 and |80 each have uid deflecting lchanneled portions |82 and |84 respectively having vanes of relatively large cross section havingconsiderble curvature to deilect the power transmitting iiuid in such a' manner as to absorb considerable energy therefrom.

The auxiliary turbine members |88and |88 also 1 have channeled portions |88 and |88 respectively f having vanes of lesser cross .section embodying decreased curvature to absorb a lesser amount of energy from the fluid as it circulates thro'ugh'the power transmitting iluid circuit.

',I'heuauxiliary turbine carrying members' |80 and |80 are provided with spaced apertures |18 v -and |12 respectively to permit the iiow of predetermined quantities of iiuid through the auxiliary turbinesupporting members to substantially equalize pressures on opposite sides thereof,

or tocreate desired predeterminedl pressures thereonl the. channeled portions |88 and A|88 into the'power transmitting fluid 'circuiti pft ||0has aradially ex-` "tndetrnange-Mi; supporting an-impeller housy|18rospectiveb y c *y mined quantities of duid there-through for the The guidewheel carrying members |44 and |48 are also provided with spaced aperturesl |14 and to permit the iiow of predetersamepurpose. y

rsrn'ings |18' and |80 positioned on calibratedL opposite sides of the auxiliary turbine members |58 and |80 respectively exert thereon forces tending to, shift the auxiliary turbine members to position the lleft or right hand channeled portions in the po'iver transmitting nuid circuit as viewed in Fig. 2. If desired a suitably calibrated spring may be positioned between the auxiliary turbine members |58 and |80. guide wheel members |44 and |48 are also pro- 'vided with springs |82 and |84 to urge the channeled portions |48 and |52 of the guide wheell The auxiliary asesino be shifted to the left as viewed in Fig. 2 to posias atorque converter energized fluid issuing from the impeller channel flows successively into the auxiliary turbine channels |84 and |82 respectively whereupon a portion of the applied power is absorbed and is transmitted through" the threaded extension |58 of the turbine hub |34 to the driven shaft |22. The remaining energy inthe power transmitting huidl capable] of extraction is imparted to the turbine vanes |38 and is directed through trie turbine hub lu to the driven shaft |22. Fluid issuing from the main turbine channel |40, while the deviceis operating as a torque converter passes successively through the main and auxiliary guide wheel channels |48 and |52 where the guide wheel vanes of large cross sectional area embodying substantial curvatures rectify the direction of tion the channeled portion |88 in the power transmitting fluid circuit with the channeled' portion |88 of the auxiliary turbine member |88 also inthe circuit when the device is operating as a fluid clutch to t power with substantially no torque multiplication.

Similarlythe main and auxiliary guide wheel members |44and |48 have three phases of operation as4 ollows:

1. 'I'he channeled portions |48 and |52 having the vanes of'large curvature positioned in the power transmitting fluid circuit to operate the device as a torque converter to transmit power with high torque multiplication.A

' 2. The auxiliary guide wheel member |48 may be shifted to the right as viewed in Fig. 2 to introduce'the channeled portion |54 into the fluid circuit with the channeled portion |48 of the main'guide wheel member |44 remaining therein to operate the device as a torque converter to transmit power at reduced torque multiplication.

3. 'I'he guide wheel member |44 may also be shifted lto the right as viewed in Fig. 2 to introduce the channeled portion |50 into the power transmitting fluid circuit with the channeled portion |54 of the auxiliary guide wheel member |48 to operate the device as a huid clutch to transmit- |30 at the proper angle whereupon multiplied fluid ow and dirst it to the impeller channel torque is transmit ed to the driven shaft |22 at reduced speed.

When the load to which the driven shaft I 22 is subjected decreases, or the power applied to the driving shaft ||0 increases, the forces to which the auxiliary turbine members and the main and auxiliary guide wheel members are subjected due to uid reaction exerted on the vanes, uid pressure exerted on the turbine and guide wheel carrying members, inertia forces, andf the force of the calibrated springs move the turf bine and guide wheel members to introduce the channeled portions having vanes of less cross sectional area embodying less curvature into the power transmitting fluid whereupon the device is transformed to operate as a fluid clutch to transmit power from'the driving shaft to the driven shaft with substantially no torque multiplication.

It will be apparent that three separate phases of operation arepossible insofar'as the auxiliary turbine and guide wheel members are concerned. 1. The auxiliary turbine channeled portions |84 I claim:

1. A fiuid'transmission comprising driving and driven shafts, impeller and turbine members canried by the driving and driven shafts and vcooperating to form a power transmitting fluid circuit, a stationary member associated with the driven shaft, a plurality of spaced guide wheel members each having a plurality of spaced channeled portions mounted on the stationary member for movement thereon to successively introduce one of said spaced channeled portions into the power transmitting fluid circuit to vary the torque multiplying characteristics of the device, radially through said members to subject the guide wheel and |82 may be positioned inj the power trans- I mitting fluid circuitwhen the device is operating as a torque converter to transmit high torque.

2. The auxiliary turbine member |80nay be shifted to the left as viewed in Fig. 2 to introduce the channeled portion |88 into the power transmitting fluid circuit, with the channeled portion |82 of the auxiliary turbine member |58' remaining inthe fluid circuit when the device is operating as a torque converter vand power is beingv transmitted )with decreased torque muitiplication. y

members to substantially predetermined pressures to influence the positions of the guide wheelmembers, an axially extended member can'ied/by-\ the turbine, a plurality of spaced auxiliary/turbine members carried by said axially extended member and: each having a plurality of spaced channeled portions to vary the energy absorbing characteristics of the device, and radially extended apertured flanges between the auxiliary turbine members and said axially extended member whereby duid from'thei power transmitting fluid circuit may subject said members to predetermined pressures inuencing the position of peller and 'turbine members controlling the posif tion of the auxiliary impeller and turbine members relative to the power transmitting iluid circuit, radially extended apertured tlangesbetween the auxiliary. impeller and turbine members and the main impeller and turbine members respectively whereby the auxiliary members may be subjected to substantially predetermined iluid pressure influencing their position relative to the fluid circuit, and yielding means between the auxiliary impeller and turbine members and the main impeller and turbine members. the position of the auxiliary impeller and turbine members being controlled jointly by fluid-vreaction in the 'power transmitting fluid circuit, inertia forces developed by rotation of the impeller and turbine assemblies and the yielding means interposed between the auxiliary and main impeller and turbine members. f

3. In a iluid transmission a driving shaft having an impeller, a driven shaft having a turbine cooperating with the impeller to forma power transmitting iluid circuit, a stationary member, a guide wheel member carried by the stationary member and having a plurality of spaced channeled portions adapted to be introduced int'o the fluid circuit to operate the device as a torque converter or as a uid clutch, axially extending projections carried by the impeller and turbine members, auxiliary impeller and turbine members carried by said projections and each having a plurality of spaced channeled portions adapted to be introduced by duid reaction into the fluid circuit to vary the nuid deilecting characteristics oi. the device when operating as a torque converter or as iiuid clutch. radially extended apertured members interposed between the auxiliary impeller and turbine members and said projections whereby iluld from the power transmitting fluid circuit may flow through said members to exert fluid pressure on opposite sides of said members 4. In a ,nula transmission a. driving than naving main and auxiliary impeller members, a I driven shaft having main and auxiliary turbine y members cooperating with the impeller members to form a power transmitting fluid circuit, the auxiliary impeller and turbine members controlled by iiuid reaction each having a plurality of spaced channeled portions, motion transmitting means between the main and auxiliary impeller and turbine members assisting the fluid reaction for controlling the positionv of the auxiliary impeller and turbine members relative to the power transmitting `fluid circuit, radially extended apertured flanges between the auxiliary impeller and turbine members and the main impeller and tur-bine members respectively whereby the auxiliary members may be subjected to substantially predetermined iiuid pressures influencing their position relative to the fluid circuit, the position of the auxiliary impeller and turbine members being controlled jointly by iluid reaction in the power transmitting iluid circuit and fluid pressure ex- .erted on said ilanges.

5. A iiuid transmission comprising. driving and driven shafts, impeller and turbine members carried by the driving and driven shafts and cooperating to form a power transmitting iluid circuit, a stationary member associated with the driven shaft, a plurality of spaced guide wheel members each having a plurality of spaced channeled portions mounted on the stationary member for movement thereon to successively introduce one oi' said spaced channeled portions into the power transmitting fluid circuit to vary the torque multiplying' characteristics of the device, and ra- Y dially extended aperturediianges interposed bete influence the position of the auxiliary impeller and turbine members.

tween the guide wheel members and stationary member whereby iluid from the duid circuit may ilow through said members to subject the guide wheel members to substantially predetermined pressures to inuence the positions of the guide wheel members.

JOSEPH JANDABEK. 

